Cavs’ Darius Garland Says He’s Excited About Donovan Mitchell, Doesn’t Want To Be Traded

Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland says don’t believe the hype. Or in this case, the rumors. He’s actually excited about again playing alongside All-Star backcourt-mate Donovan Mitchell, who just signed a contract extension.

Garland made these claims in an exclusive interview with Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com — strongly refuting rumors that he would seek a trade should Mitchell lengthen his deal.

“I don’t want to be traded,” Garland told Fedor. “Those are just rumors.”

Garland and Mitchell will be entering their third season together, but first under new coach Kenny Atkinson. Garland is coming off a rocky year, his worst season since his rookie year. But the Cavs seem to be banking on the idea he can return to his All-Star form of a few seasons ago.

“The way I look at it is we have two All-Star guards,” Atkinson told Hoops Wire. “It’s on the coaching staff to figure that out. You put that responsibility on yourself. And they have fit before.”

A few months back, reports suggested Garland’s reps would seek a trade if Mitchell signed an extension, as agent Rich Paul supposedly questioned their fit. (Paul neither confirmed nor denied those reports when given the chance.)

But Garland put such talk to rest. As Fedor relayed, he’s even already met with Atkinson and gone over the offense.

“It sounds really good,” Garland told Fedor. “A lot of spacing and a lot of room for me and (Mitchell) and all of the other guys to be able to thrive.”

For the past several weeks, Atkinson and president of basketball operations Koby Altman have made it sound as if they have every intention of running it back with the Cavaliers’ so-called Core Four, which also features power forward Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. 

Changes around the edges are possible, as the front office remains active in “turning over every rock,” according to GM Mike Gansey.

But Garland is among those who don’t appear to be going anywhere. And from the sounds of things, that’s precisely the way Garland prefers it.

The Cavs advanced to the play-in tournament, first round of the playoffs, then Eastern Conference semifinals in three consecutive seasons under former coach J.B. Bickerstaff. They’re looking to take the next natural step this upcoming season. One way to do that is to keep the main pieces together, bank on familiarity, and improve from within.